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So I've had the Massdrop version of the Koss ESP/95X sitting here for probably a month but not spent any time with them. I know I'm awful... That changed today so first some pics: Let's start with the any real change from the stock Koss version, the earpads: Now the stock pads are terrible but these are somehow worse. Cheap and nasty fabric covering the same nasty foam...yeah they went into the trash. Get some Vesper earpads but more on that later. As for the amp, well here are some internal pics: This is the same as the last unit I opened, stock 1990 amplifier board but the new PSU board. It's the same circuit, they just had to update it for new parts such as the new nasty volume control. Now for some impressions of the phones. The cable situation is the same as before, rather short cable and then they supply an extension to make up for it. As if anybody is ever going to use these as portables... So I ripped out the stock cable and fitted a wide PC-OCC Stax unit and angled Vesper earpads. I also removed the foam they have on the baffle as the Vesper pads come with some dust protection. Now this is more like it, here is the true king of budget headphones. Granted you have to spend the 500$ for the set and another 200$ for new cable and earpads but that's still the same as Monoprice is asking for their very mehhh set. The angled Vesper pads I got were a custom order and they really add something to the set. The imaging is improved and the slightly smaller cavity really helps them spring to life. They are a tiny bit top heavy now but that helps them really, makes them feel more alive. All in though, very much recommended and nice to see this 30 year old design still shine. One small caveat though, this set which is one of the first from Massdrop did ship with some dust inside the right driver so they are no noise free. One kinda expects that from the ESP950 though so it doesn't bother me too much.

Great minds,.. with Jensen x-over (will I ever get around to building enclosures?).

Thanks Sam, and I’m pleased to say I have that Rolex, which happy with, however even though its bracelet is quite comfortable, I still prefer leather straps, not only do I find straps feel better than bracelets, they look better too. Another thing I’m not so keen about bracelets is when the wrist is warm the fit is perfect, but when cold it becomes loose, therefore I think I’ll get that strap in the photo which is Horween Cordovan leather. I’ll be finding about end links to use with that strap, but even if none are available for an OP 39, I I’ll still order that strap.

Bill Mobley - Hittin' Home (2016) Bass – Essiet Okon Essiet*, Phil Palombi Guitar – Russell Malone Marimba – Kevin Norton Percussion – Clint Mobley Piano – Heather Bennett (2), Kenny Barron Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bill Mobley Vibraphone – Steve Nelson

Beautiful watch, Dave. You'll be happy. The fit, finish and comfort is absolutely top notch. Rossliew - you can't go wrong. The rhodium is very classy IMO. Here is a pic...I believe it is a 36mm. I did learn a lot by going to a dealer and seeing the watch and the varying dial colors "in the metal". Helped me select the one that was most to my taste. I fell in lust with the silvery newer white dial so that is what I bought. I had to wait longer than I would have expected for my choice to arrive (I believe it was 6 weeks from when ordered at their "boutique"), but in the end I got exactly what I wanted and I am happy with the purchase. They tossed in a Wolf winder in Rolex green as a nice "gift". HS

Thanks, HS. Your pics sure make them look better than what I saw at the dealership. My preferred model would be the Explorer II but way out of my budget. The OP is simplistic in design but those blue markers against a grey dial create an entrancing contrast to my eyes.

Test Tone @ Home live right now: http://mixlr.com/illuminator/chat

Riverside, Wasteland — egad, this is sublime, going to probably listen to it a second time around Knucks’ show. proggy prog, in the hard rock vein a lot of swaggering riffs, nice ensemble playing

Construction techniques most folks can only dream of! or The breadboard that never went away.

I just love how ghetto that is.

I absolutely love the Magnepan sound. I have the 1.6 model, but fell in love originally with some of the larger models. I've had mine since 1989 and still like the open feel.

I'm excited for you as well.

Although I really like the GSQ, at the time getting it ( January ) the watch I much preferred for the same purpose ( wearing while playing snooker and pool ) was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm, but while I did have the money to get that Rolex, there were/are other things that need doing, however because a ROP is my second dream watch I thought you only live once so frig it. What this means is I’ve used that GSQ as part exchange for a ROP39 Rhodium dial, and those other things will just have to wait. About the dial colour, there are only two I like on the OP, blue and that rhodium, but what made me decide on rhodium is it has blue accents, whereas the blue dial has green which to me doesn’t look as good. Been told I should be receiving that Rolex tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to that. ?

o______o

Wait, what? Oh, Kylie. Carry on. Still at a loss how she become a billionaire.

RIP Colleen Sewing, another high school classmate of mine to go. Fought various cancer all over her body, including her brain, for almost two years. Left behind a husband and 2 year old... was only 29. She was the kind of person you may not be connected with anymore but you stay linked on social media because her life was positive energy and you felt good that things were good for her. Shit is fucked up.

I spent the afternoon at the DMV doing paperwork that is inexplicably not possible to do online. It is every bit as terrible as it sounds, but is not as bad as yesterday afternoon which I spent at an altogether less pleasant DMV doing other paperwork that should be doable online.

Yeah, the new 30.7 $30,000 for the set.